The Console & Video Game Topic

[The Stormbird]

The biggest improvement over Guitar Hero is the drumming [...]

I'll admit I haven't played the game, but we have a demo set up at my store and I've constantly been seeing/hearing people play it for the last 5-6 weeks. And IMO the drumming part is the most annoying thing I've ever seen in any game ever. It might be all right if it actually sounded like drums. But that annoying artificial tapping sound -- screw that. Why didn't they design it so that you're hitting some kind of rubber thing that doesn't make any sound, and then a real drumming sound comes through the speakers? In actuality it sounds like hitting the surface of a table or desk with drumsticks -- absolutely nothing like a drum sound! I just can't imagine how anyone can enjoy the game with all the irrelevant noise getting in the way.

I'm also pretty sure, from hearing it so many times (and maybe someone can confirm this?), that some of the lyrics have been censored. I keep hearing Rush's "Tom Sawyer," but the "to any god or government" line seems nowhere to be heard. Censorship is so not cool.

 

[Tramz]

I can't confirm the Rock Band censorship, but Harmonix has censored other songs. Rage Against The Machine being the most obvious. Personally i don't see the problem with the full lyric, but given that we live in a country with the stuck up morals police, you can't really get away with publishing a game with songs that curse. If nothing else, major stores like Walmart won't carry it.

It's funny, up until pretty recently, i used to think that they changed the lyrics on "Foo Fighters - Monkey Wrench" from "adolescent president" to "adolescent resident". It used to piss me off every time i played the song, till i went back and listened to the original and realized that i misheard the lyric in the first place heh. I like my lyric better. It makes more sense. It made more sense back in 1997 and makes more sense now.

Anyway, back on the topic of censorship, you are delving into a bit of a minefield hot topic. There is war going on in the gaming industry to try to get the ESRB to grow a backbone. As it stands, gaming isn't held to the same standards that movies and other media are. Things that a movie can get away with under the R rating could NEVER make it in the M (Mature) rating for games. AO (Adults Only, the next higher rating) is the equivilant of an X rating for movies. In other words, commercial suicide. But a movie would never get such a thing unless it was an outright porno. Games get it if their violence is simply too graphic. Example? Hitman 2 originally was given an AO rating and had to be toned done with blurred graphics and camera angles to achieve the M rating. This is censorship and it's a completely biased standard that only exists because people incorrectly labor under some antiquated notion that video games are for kids.

This is the exact same issue as censoring music in a video game. They have to keep it acceptable for the major retailers and they have to appease the spineless ESRB. Not to mention they have to make sure that some parent doesn't go on a holy crusade because the video game they bought for their kid (which displayed an ESRB rating that they probably, in their ignorance, ignored) spewed a curse word or two (oh no! the horror!.. note the sarcasm). The worst part is, companies like the major retailers and even Microsoft don't consider it censorship. They consider it "brand identity", which perhaps makes it a grey area, but that's the modern age for you. It's no longer cut and dry. They can get away with censorship under the notion that they have a right to determine the boundaries of their product and the image it puts forth. Me? I think the problem would resolve itself if, as i said, the ESRB would grow a spine and maintain that games should be held to the same standards as movies where what can fit in a movie as an R rating (which is at times some pretty extreme stuff) can also fit into a game under the M rating. They should be equivalent.

 

[Trogdor 666]

I just can't imagine how anyone can enjoy the game with all the irrelevant noise getting in the way.

Then what you said is true. You haven't played it, only watched it. There's also a major difference between playing it at a store and playing it at home. You really don't need to bang the drums as hard as your average store-shopping neanderthal child does and with. I've played several hours of this game as have thousands of other gamers by now, and last time I checked I'm personally giving this game a sparkling personal review and I've yet to read a good number of people complaining out there. I'm sure there are a few, like yourself, but they're by far the vocal minority. Also, if the person who is playing the drums is in your band is pretty good, it often helps you keep tempo as a bassist or guitarist. Also, in your own home you have the power to turn up the volume on your television, which drowns it more into the background as you concentrate more on the sound from your TV. Trust me, if I was still working at Gamestop and we got a Rock Band display, that thing would never make it to the floor because I'd personally strangle any child or adult who attempted to play the drums on it. However, once you get the game in your home and really begin playing yourself, all problems disappear. Also, if bothers you that much, problem already solved: http://kotaku.com/gaming/notag/rock-band-drum-mod-keeps-music-silent-like-it-should-be-327498.php

And if that's you complaint, it ruins the game because it doesn't sound exactly like a drum kit, then the guitar must ruin it too with it's unecessary clicking noise and I must ruin the game too because when I sing I sound NOTHING like Chris Cornell, Geddy Lee or Bruce Dickinson.

 

[The Stormbird]

Also, in your own home you have the power to turn up the volume on your television, which drowns it more into the background as you concentrate more on the sound from your TV.

I did think of that, and I suppose that might help a little. But whenever I've observed people playing the game, the tv volume has been up pretty high. And still, that damn tap-tap-tapping ruins it all. If other people can tolerate that, then good for them. I see it as a serious design flaw. As I said before, how hard would it have been to make the drum surface out of some rubbery material that doesn't make so much noise? Not a well-thought-out product, IMO.

 

[Trogdor 666]

Well, for now I suppose we can agree to disagree, but I'd like to hear your take on the game after you have played it.

 

[Tramz]

For a positive story about Rock Band, i had looked all over to find the Rock Band Bundle (that's the box with everything in it) and i had pretty much given up hope on ever actually finding it. Every place from EB/Gamestop to Best Buy even to Circuit City - who advertised that they had them in stock this last Sunday and when i went told me that the item was already discontinued (to which i kind of let into the guy i spoke to, telling him that if they aren't going to bother to stock an item, why the F do they put it in their flyer?) had none in stock. But yesterday i had to go to a store that i would never actually willingly set foot in on my own (Target.. which in my book is akin to Walmart) to pick up something that someone else asked me to look there for, and on my way out, i looked to one side and what did i see? A shelf loaded with Rock Band Bundles!

If someone could have seen my face they would have laughed. I must have had an incredulous look. Even though the sign said "Xbox Rock Band", i didn't quite believe it until i got close enough to see the 360 stripe at the top of the boxes. So i grabbed one in a hurry. As i did some woman came up and asked me if "this was the right one", i told her yes and she grabbed one too. We talked for a few moments about our good fortune and off i went, still in a state of amazement that of all places, i found it in freaking Target.

Also funny, the kid at the register (who definitely looked the rocker type) asked me if Rock Band was available for the ps2. I told him yes, but that he wouldn't be able to download any of the additional songs, but that hey, it's still Rock Band. He very happily agreed. If my little ode to consumerism has a moral, it's that Rock Band is definitely the "it" gift this year. Kind of like Cabbage Patch Kids back in 1986 (sans the fist fights over the last ones, and armored deliveries heh).

 

[Trogdor 666]

Nice! I wasn't even able to get the full bundle, but seeing as I already had the guitar and a USB Microphone, I was willing to wait until February to get some drums when they go on sale by themselves, or I can borrow my friends' drums if they ever get bored with them! But seriously, I've only seen the full bundles in stores ONCE and it was at a Wal-Mart at like quarter to 11 at night. It seems you really do just need to be in the right place at the right time. But then again, it is a $170 Cabbage Patch Kid...

That being said, I'm proving how geeky I am by signing up for 360voice.com, a website that automatically posts a daily blog from the perspective of your Xbox 360, here's mine! http://www.360voice.com/tag/Baron Awesome

 

[Zellie]

Rock Band was around at Target where I work the day it came out and I haven't seen it since. I know with other stuff...like that Barbie cash register that everyone wanted, we had them in boxes in the back and every 2 hours we were loading the shelf and still we had people looking at empty shelves for it. The same with this baby doll except it came it white and black as races...and people all bought up the white ones.... so then people would look on the shelves and be like 'soo um...do you have any more?' 'no um, any OTHER ones... um. in. a different color?' people were sooo embarressed to ask but they asked anyway

The boyfriend took his PS2 home for xmas. I MISS IT A LOT T_T I have an urge to play katamari!

I did get back into Twilight Princess at least. Water temple! I miss OoT's Zora suit, that was SO much fun! But I'm loving the clawshot.

 

[Tramz]

For the record, i don't care what problems some people may have with it. I don't care if some reviewers think that it is targeted at a razor thin audience, i completely love Unreal Tournament 3. If i had any complaint to level against it, it would be that there are no Achievements (but i didn't feel like waiting for the X360 version, and this is a game that really should be played on the PC anyway).

That isn't to say that Call of Duty 4's multiplayer isn't completely awesome too (with it's leveling system), but they are different beasts.

 

[kingtoad]

I love my xbox 360. Debating on which game to get next. I've been playing CoD4 on my computer but I'm strongly contemplating buying it for the 360 because the computer can get tiring after a while. I'm definitely buying Gears of War sometime this week.

My lamp burnt out on my DLP so I haven't been playing. Just ordered a new one. Gaming shall commence soon.

 

[Teleute]

I'm now the proud owner of a Wii raincheck, which means I'll have the system at the latest by Jan 25th. Camped out at a Gamestop for 2 hours before they opened, and only 3 other people came by the time they raised the gate, which surprised me but oh well! I was the first hehe.

 

[Zellie]

=O! YAY! At Target we've been sold out since.....ever. If we ever have any, they're all gone within 5 minutes of the store opening.

You must give me your wiinumber when you get it! AND SMASH BROTHERRSSESES

I got a couple wii games for xmas... Ravid Rabbids.... which has always been hilarious to me, but warioware has been even more hilarious and fun. Warioware is like katamari on speed. Stupid little minigames that you have about 5 seconds to figure out what you're supposed to do and how to do it and you get a string of like 10 of them. It's crazy.

And then, Mario Galaxy! Which I should play....right now....

I dunno what is up with me and Twilight Princess. I know it's a fantastic game and I enjoy it when I play it. I think I'm just so lacking in spare time that it's hard to get into it. It really deserves some nice 6 hour gaming sessions, not a half hour here and there. By the time the half hour is over, I've only just remidned myself where I am in the game and what I need to do next

 

[Trogdor 666]

And that's why Mario Galaxy is perfect! You can earn a star in just a few minutes or sit down and waste the better part of a weekend to it's reflective glory!

 

[Trogdor 666]

And Now Ladies And Gentlemen, the moment you've been waiting for, THE OFFICIAL 2007 TROGDOR GAME OF THE YEAR AWARDS! Brought to you by Mountain Dew Game Fuel. Average game, excellent drink. Anywho, before we get to the festivities, let's recap some of the previous winners of the prestigious number 1 spot:

2001 - Super Smash Bros Melee
2002 - Kingdom Hearts
2003 - Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
2004 - Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
2005 - Resident Evil 4
2006 - Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

And now, here they are, YOUR top five games from 2007 according to Trogdor!!


5. Portal (The Orange Box) – The word “Genius” doesn’t seem to pop up too much in modern gaming. We live in a gaming world where everything seems to be overdone to death and it’s hard for something truly creative and original to pop up, and I’m glad to say that Portal fills that void very nicely. The game has a single mechanic, shoot one portal, shoot a second portal, and then walk in one and pop out the other. However, the way it’s used in this First Person Puzzle game is indescribably “genius”. Not to mention the laugh-out-loud commentary from the in-game computer and the quirky storyline that accompanies it. Overall, it’s 2-3 hours of high joy (and some slight frustration at points!). But this is an ingenious experience that deserves to be tried by those who are most cynical of puzzle or first person games. I’d go into more detail, but I don’t want to ruin anything for anyone.


4. Assassin’s Creed – Don’t let any faceless reviewer convince you that this game stinks. While half the reviews said this game wasn’t very good, every person I know who actually played it has loved it. You want a true go-anywhere, do-anything game? Well, provided you want that game to take place during the 1200’s in Medieval Israel, this game is for you!

But seriously, there is a set mission path you’re supposed to follow in this game, but I’ve never felt more autonomy in my character in any video game. If I see a building in the distance, I can go climb it. Any person on the street can be pushed out of the way or, if need be, assassinated at any point. I am a medieval ninja who goes where he wants to and does what he wants to. The graphics are among the best I’ve ever seen and the gameplay is incredibly smooth for such a seemingly complicated game. Also, I’ve never seen a game with such satisfying swordplay before. Now, the big question is, is it repetitive? Well, it’s about as repetitive as Super Mario Bros in the sense that you’ll be doing the same thing over and over again and loving every minute of it.

3. Bioshock – Let me first say this. I am so bored and done with first person shooters. I can’t remember a first person shooter I sat through completely and enjoyed since Perfect Dark. I was even getting bored during Metroid Prime and never got anywhere far in MP2 because I was just so tired of the first person genre. All that being said, ever since I got my hands on Bioshock I could not put it down until Mario Galaxy.

Chalk it up to the excellent storyline and completely original environment and setting for any video game (I wanna be Andrew Ryan when I grow up!), the overall feeling of dread while walking through Rapture, the awesome addition of Plasmids to gaming, where in addition to your guns you get a wide array of offensive and defensive powers (Everything from getting more life from health packs to setting up mini-tornadoes that launch you enemies into the sky to giving yourself electrical skin), anyway you slice it Bioshock will be one of the most innovative and creative games ever made. Also, the authentic 1920’s-40’s music totally helps sell the atmosphere and a little bit of the creepiness to when you hear it in the distance while navigating through a decrepit, abandoned nightclub. Now, where it falls short is unfortunately in length and replay value as it is extremely linear and in my opinion the story begins to fall apart a little towards the end, but I’d recommend that people at least give it a try or even just watch someone else play it for its technical and artistic achievements. Bioshock is the new standard bearer for first person games and I don’t know if anyone can catch up to this brilliant game.

2. Rock Band – I thought Guitar Hero was going to be the best franchise in music game history. I never thought any other game could appease the little rock star inside of me… until Rock Band. It turns out playing guitar was a good start… however playing drums, or guitar or singing with your friends is the ultimate Rock Star Experience! The game provides a much larger array of single-player options being able to go through career as a singer, guitarist or drummer and the Multi-Player can literally last forever in the brilliant World Tour Mode, visit different venues, play whole sets, unlock more songs, it’s just plain awesome. You will not find a better music game anywhere. Also, customizing and unlocking new costumes for your own personalized rocker keeps you addicted to. I am a fucking stunning metal god in this game.

Granted, the song list has a LOT of weak points like Fall Out Boy and Coheed and Cambria, but the strong songs like Don’t Fear the Reaper, Run to the Hills and Deep Purple’s Highway Star totally make up for the crap and it has some of the best downloadable songs ever! Hint: Get the Metallica pack IMMEDIATELY when you purchase this game, Ride the Lighting and Blackened are must haves!

And Finally...

1. Super Mario Galaxy – I didn’t want to do this. I mean I really, really didn’t want to do this. As I looked at my previous games of the year all I see each time is sequels, Nintendo games and Nintendo sequels. I was hoping one of the great original games that came out this year would be the best. However, that did not happen. The best, funnest, most addictive game of 2007 is a sequel to Nintendo’s longest running franchise, Super Mario Galaxy.

Mario Galaxy is the best original game for Wii, with no other exceptions. It also proves the Wii to be a great gaming machine for multiplayer AND single player. First off, the game is really a technical achievement. It is the best looking game on Wii to date with some great looking characters, excellent textures and the smoothest framerate I have seen in any game on any system. Most people look upon Wii’s graphics with distain, but this game proves the system to be a true contender with 360 and PS3 on all levels. Also, the soundtrack is the BEST game soundtrack in years. The orchestrated soundtrack contains excellent new tracks, remixes of old favorites and some of the most stirring, epic orchestrations in gaming history, the “Buoy Base” music is my personal favorite. This is the best soundtrack of the current generation of gaming, and perhaps the last few ones. Mario Galaxy is one of the most impressive games ever created and definitely a technical high point for Nintendo.

Then, there’s the gameplay. Wow. Smooth, relatively simple and unbelievably fun. The stages take in-game physics to a whole new level with the concept of gravity being a thing of the past. You never realize how awesome running around all sides of a sphere is until you’ve done it with a plumber. The stages are interesting, pretty, diverse and certainly original. I honestly can say I’ve never played a platformer quite like this ever before. And almost every mission is something you haven’t done before in the game, whether it be a completely original boss battle or new challenge, the game is constantly changing and throwing new, different objectives for you to tackle so it never gets boring. You only need to play through about half of the missions to get to the end of the game, but it captured my attention and I’m still battling to get all the stars even after I beat the final boss.

And that’s what sets Mario Galaxy apart enough to make it my game of the year. So many games I’ve played until the “end” and threw it back on the shelf. Mario Galaxy kept drawing me back in after I’ve technically beaten it and in a fall season with so many great games, Galaxy was the first game I always wanted to play when I got home from work and when I had some free time. The first game you want to play is always the best game. And Super Mario Galaxy is the best time I’ve had on any game console in 2007.


Now, let's not forget that first off, there are plenty of games I have yet to play, like Mass Effect, Call of Duty 4 and the rest of the Orange Box. There are also games I haven't played that much of, like Halo 3's single player and Metroid Prime 3. But all things being said, I stand behind this list firmly, a great year for gaming was 2007, and things look even brighter in 2008 with games like Smash Bros Brawl, Ninja Gaiden II and Soul Calibur 4. See you all in 2008 gamesters! Viva Wii60!

 

[Tramz]

Not a bad year summary at all Troggy. I can't fault Super Mario Galaxy as a number one pick. I have only played it in store demo's, so i can't really fairly critique it, though i am inclined to give Bioshock my personal number 1. It is just too awesome for words. Everyone with the means to, should absolutely play it. The atmosphere is unbelievable, and so very creepy. The story is conveyed in some very subtle ways, like your surroundings. Also, how often does a game come along that tries to be truly intelligent? Bioshock took Ayn Rand style Objectivism, laissez-faire capitalism and the idea of Free Will, among other things, head on, and did so without being didactic.

As for the rest, i'd say Rock Band for #2, Call of Duty 4 perhaps #3 (though this is where i imagine i would have put Galaxy, had i played the entire thing and not only segments), though i wish the single player campaign was a bit longer, HL2 Orange Box #4, and Mass Effect probably deserves number 5. I really enjoyed a bunch of other games, including Unreal Tournament 3 and Crysis, both for the PC, but i don't think i would call either of them goty material (though Crysis is certainly impressive).

We can certainly agree that Halo 3 and GH3 don't belong on the list. I hate how magazines like OXM and EGM are trying to redefine what a "10" review score means. They give it to games that clearly don't deserve it, like Halo 3. The story was so weak. They say it deserves it for being a technical masterpiece. Yeah what a load of crap that is.

On the topic of Rock Band, when i first loaded it up, i auto calibrated it to my spiffy new LCD HDTV and that didn't quite do it. The first couple songs i tried were a mess hehe. Thankfully they include manual calibration. Today i set it to +10ms and everything is good. I started out on Easy/drums and just beat that campaign. Now it's on to Medium! I thought i would have difficulty adjusting to an electronic kit, having grown up playing real drum kits, but this works just fine. I have to say that it feels good to be behind some drums again, even if those drums are just a toy.

I also love the longevity. The $169.99 purchase is easily justified because this is 3 games in one. Hell, playing the drums alone could keep me going for months. Nevermind the rest. I haven't even gotten to them yet.

I kind of hope 2008 sucks for games, because all of the awesomeness that arrived in 2007 will keep me going for half of the next year as it is

EDIT: Hey now, i like Coheed & Cambria. What i DON'T like is Flyleaf. While i am ignoring Fall Out Your Ass Boy, i'll also be ignoring Flyleaf - I'm So Sick (of hearing this crappy song). This is brought up by the fact that it just popped on a bonus set list and i had just about forgotten that this lame song was here

 

[Zellie]

lolololol..... and then there is me, who keeps hearing bits of the Flyleaf song, singing along and then saying 'CAN WE UNLOCK THAT ONE YET?!' XD

So yeah.

I am the proud co-owner of Rock Band, WHOO! I was selling some things on ebay and they started getting kinda high $$ so I told myself that if I was so very lucky as for the bids to reach the cost of Rock Band, I would get it for myself and my boyfriend as a christmas present. The bids actually went I think $20-30 *over* what the cost was so I preordered it from Amazon. Then.... I kept getting emails about delays. DELAYS DELAYS DELAYS! I actually got a message that there was another delay and it wouldn't arrive until the 7th, but after that one that said it had shipped and would arrive on the 3rd. Came home from work, and there it was <3 Unfortunately though, the external box, the tape was slit halfway and it was lighter than I thought it would be so I had a miniheart attack thinking it was stolen, but everything was in place and works perfectly.

We've been rocking through easy mode with 95-99%s but medium killed Chris on the drums. I don't notice the noise of them at all but that's because I'm too busy barking and meowing along where I'm supposed to say 'yeah yeah!' to the audience.

WE NEED MORE GIRL SONGS. Yeah, it'll let me sing it up an octave but the songs on there tend to me at just the wrong notes so it's a hair too low to comfortably sing at it's octave and it's a hair too much if I sing it up the octave. Oh well, the rhythm has been easy enough to pick up and on easy mode I can just sing 'blkjdfksdjfsdkfa fadkjfdskjf dfkjdfjk' and still get points XD;; It also turns out that I'm familiar with more of the songs than I thought so that helps.

It makes me crave one of the kareoke games but you know, the whole fun is playing as a team..... kareoke would just be me and I can do that in my car for free

I'm enjoying Ballroom Blitz WAYYYYYY too much

I am kinda sad that it's the ps2 version and thus no downloading of songs...here's hoping the ps3 sales suck so bad that they put out the download songs on disk for us ps2 owners to buy. I know they are TALKING about it coming out for wii but who knows how long it'll be before that happens.

I'm enjoying the game in general way too much.... I got home from work and we must have played 4 hours.... sleep before my next shift? who needs that.....

For xmas I got Warioware and Ravvin Rabbids as well. Warioware has been a lot of fun but more for a group (good because Chris and I are rather solitary and own mostly one player games ;p it's nice to have some we can play together). Ravvin Rabbids I've only played once so far and it's pretty funny, the minigames are much less manic than warioware though!

The second player ability in Mario Galaxy is pretty cheap, but I don't care... it's fun to have a little assistance and the levels are so fantastically creative and bizarre, the physics are so well-developed... it's a whole lot of fun.

 

[Zellie]

Warioware and Ravin Rabbids need better second player modes and more quickly available. Those are great games to have battles in but nooooooooo...........

Rock Band... the drumming is a lot of fun. Guitar is pretty much like Guitar Hero. I finally decided to try the singing on medium.... It...didn't seem any different than easy... so I tried it on hard....which...doesn't really seem any different. I'm still getting 95%+ on songs even if the first time I heard them was while playing this game ^_~ Haven't tried expert yet.

hehehhe...and I did the tutorial..and learned the parts I've been barking/meowing are suppoed to be percussion beats where you slap the mic..... BARKING IS MORE FUN OKAY.

Oh and I looked at the downloadable content to cry over what I was missing out on. lololool...not much >_>

 

[Tramz]

Rofl you were barking and meowing on the tambourine parts? That's hilarious. Yeah i tried singing like one song on Easy and then went straight for medium. They hold you to tighter pitch restrictions, but if you can hold a pitch anyway, i don't see how even Expert would be that rough.

Drumming is a lot of fun, but i think it's Green Grass & Hide Tides that just kills me. I understand that song is supposed to test your ability to maintain a rhythm, but cripes it never ends. Half way through my hands get beyond tired. It's funny because it's actually harder than on a real drum kit. I have to hold the sticks tighter in rock band because any bounce at all registers more than one note and that's what takes it's toll on your hands.

 

[Trogdor 666]

Actually I find barking a more fun and effective alternative to the tambourining in Rock Band. I'm borrowing the drums from a friend who's on vacation, but my heart still lies with the guitar. I have only TWO tracks left on expert to beat on Expert, but I can't ever beat em, they're impossible! Flirting With Disaster and Green Grass & High Tides were penned and developed by Satan himself!!!

Oh well, I can keep going back and playing the recently downloaded "Limelight", more Rush please!!

Also, I came to a revelation today while playing Half-Life 2 in the Orange Box. I think first person shooters make me nauseous. I was playing and I kept feeling sicker and sicker, then I turned it off and felt much better. I think it doesn't effect me as much playing 3rd person games because I have that main character to focus on, afterall things must be wrong if Half-Life makes you feel sick to your stomach and the gravity-defying Mario Galaxy doesn't.

 

[Tramz]

The only game to ever make me motion sick was Timesplitters 2. Apparently it did it for a lot of people. I've heard that the new Ratchet & Clank does it to people too. But yeah i can see why first person shooters would do it. It has something to do with seeing stationary stuff peripherally but having fast moving stuff straight ahead. You have to spin around a lot in first person shooters.

Anyway yeah i downloaded a bunch for Rock Band too. The Metallica pack, Rush - Limelight, Foreigner - Juke Box Hero, Weezer - Buddy Holly and one or two others. I'm waiting for some other good stuff to come out before i get desperate for new music and download Bang A Gong or something else regrettable